Sunday, April 12, 2009
Adventure Is My Middle Name...
So we saw the film Adventureland last week and I'm just now getting around to posting a review. Directed by Greg Mottola, who's best known for Superbad, Adventureland tells the tale of college graduate James Brennan (played by Jesse Eisenberg) who ends up having to spend the summer working in a local Pennsylvania amusement park during the 80's. You can guess what happens next: he meets quirky yet genuine friends, falls for a girl, and has that defining summer of his life. Yet despite the paint by numbers plot, Adventureland manages to make these events engaging and real. With Superbad, Mottola showed he had a talent for developing characters the audience could genuinely care for. In Adventureland he again uses his skills to avoid the cliches of the teen comedy genre. The girl of James's affection is a pretty but realistic girl with depth and issues, as opposed to the usual unattainable local super hot girl. The "antagonist" of the story is not some mustache twirling villain or even that much of a douche bag, he's just a guy who makes some questionable choices. The 80's setting is just that, a setting. It's not played for jokes or done over the top, like in The Wedding Singer. There are laughs to be had in Adventureland for sure, but be warned this is not the laugh out loud crazy comedy of Superbad. If you want to see a well made coming of age story with well rounded, realistic characters, then check this one out. Oh and the sound track is awesome too.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Adventureland
Dir. by Greg Mottola
Rated R
2009
107 minutes
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Artist Update: Gorillaz
Most thought the end was near for Gorillaz, as the members have dozens of side projects, solo projects, and whatever kind of projects. But now, like clock work, about every four years or so the members of Gorillaz converge and come together to create a fresh, new album.
Here is some new info about their third album via Wikipedia...
"An article by the Toronto Star stated that the duo hope to begin work on the album in January 2009. Albarn also said that he wants "to work with an incredibly eclectic, surprising cast of people."[46] On 14 January 2009, Damon Albarn made an appearance as a guest DJ on BBC Radio 1, premiering demos of three new Gorillaz songs, which are entitled "Electric Shock", "Broken" and "Stylo".[47] Stated by Albarn himself, the album as a deadline to be finished by July, with it released no later than December."
Fingers crossed! Gorillaz never seem to disappoint...
Monday, March 16, 2009
Music Review: Beirut - March of the Zapotec/Real People Holland
Zach Condon's new EP, 'Zapotec/Holland' is of course really two EPs meshed together into one super hybrid EP, that's not be confused with an actual LP. If you were able to follow that, and you're still reading then you'll be interested to know that Condon's new work is pretty freakin' good. For two EPs that sound totally different and for the most part have nothing to do with another, somehow for whatever reason it works. The first half, 'Zapotec' was music that was originally composed by Condon for what ended up being a failed movie project in Mexico. So he wisely decided to release the music anyways with 'Holland,' the second half of the EP. 'Holland' focus more on a 'electronic-dance' theme, then the usual Beirut 'old-earth' music style. You may be thinking... "Beirut with electronic beats and keyboards and shit?! Well now I've heard everything!" But seriously, it's pretty good and should be treated as so.
Just remember, it's not an a full-length LP or anything... and it should be kept in mind these are or less songs to get you by until the next official Beirut record.
4 out of 5 Stars.
Best Songs: La Llorona, On a Bayonet, The Concubine, No Dice
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Artist Update: Interpol
Interpol is coming back! Their web site announced last week that they are beginning work on their fourth album, and rehearsing new songs. Hopefully they'll have the new work out by the end of the year, or sometime early next year.
Already the forums and blogs are buzzing about what exactly the new Interpol songs will sound like. It seems some people feel that their last album, "Our Love To Admire" wasn't as good as maybe Interpol thinks it was. One thing is for sure, Interpol will never be able to please the hard-core Interpol fans who feel that nothing will ever come close as to their sacred first effort "Turn On The Bright Lights."
For more info check out their official page...
Interpol - Official Site
Monday, March 9, 2009
Music Review: M. Ward - Hold Time
M. Ward's latest effort (minus Zooey Deschanel... well sort of) is one that expands on his previous work. "Hold Time" carries on with a true confidence of an artist coming off a successful few years. However, my only complaint would be that there is nothing that really holds 'Hold Time' together. It feels more like a collection of M. Ward songs rather than one cohesive work. I did like how the songs are basically short and sweet, M. Ward gets straight to the point.
Although there are 14 songs, 'Hold Time' runs just over 42 minutes in length. There are some very good songs though, ones that you would want to visit over and over again...
4 out of 5 Stars.
Best Songs: Never Had Anybody Like You, Hold Time, Oh Lonesome Me, Outro (I'm a Fool to Want You.)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Calendar: March 2009
Here are some things to look forward to this month, March 2009!
Films:
3/6/09 - The Watchmen
3/13/09 - Race To Witch Mountain
Sunshine Cleaning
3/20/09 - I Love You, Man
Music:
3/3/09 - Neko Case - "Middle Cyclone"
U2 - "No Line On The Horizon"
3/10/09 - Cursive - "Mama, I'm Swollen"
3/24/09 - The Decemberists - "Hazards of Love"
3/31/09 - Peter Bjorn & John - "Living Thing"
Other Events:
3/11/09 - South Park New Season Begins
Films:
3/6/09 - The Watchmen
3/13/09 - Race To Witch Mountain
Sunshine Cleaning
3/20/09 - I Love You, Man
Music:
3/3/09 - Neko Case - "Middle Cyclone"
U2 - "No Line On The Horizon"
3/10/09 - Cursive - "Mama, I'm Swollen"
3/24/09 - The Decemberists - "Hazards of Love"
3/31/09 - Peter Bjorn & John - "Living Thing"
Other Events:
3/11/09 - South Park New Season Begins
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Music Review: Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
After Franz Ferdinand's first self-titled ablum debuted in 2004, they had just 18 months to come up with new material for their second LP 2005's, "You Could Have It So Much Better." With that, Franz Ferdinand could have been forgiven for what people call a "sophmore slump" due to the time constraints. Personally, I wasn't that disappointed... but now over three and half years later the release of their third album 'Tonight' comes with a sort of anti-climatic ending to a long wait. While it comes off as an interesting mix of disco-revival, dance rock with an acoustic strip down vibe (I'm not even sure that just made any sense, but if you've listened to the album you'll know what I'm talking about), it still lacks the charm of their first LP.
All and all if you're a Franz Ferdinad fan and you like their past efforts, you'll enjoy this one. However, this album may not be suitable for the passive Franz fans.
3 out of 5 stars.
Best Songs: Ulysses, No You Girls, Dream Again, Katherine Kiss Me
Monday, February 23, 2009
Video of the Week: 2/22/09
Video of the Week: 2/22/09 - Peter Bjorn & John - "Nothing To Worry About"
Check out the awesome Asian greasers!
Check out the awesome Asian greasers!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
MTV - The Noise From Brookyln
As much as we all love to hate MTV, I actually found something that they made worth while watching. This video is about indie bands from Brooklyn, and the quote music "scene" there... It features interviews with bands like Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors, Yeasayer, and more!
I think you may just like it...
I think you may just like it...
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Music Review: Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
All the buzz surrounding this album has been worth the wait, Animal Collective's ninth record "Merriweather Post Pavilion" is so far the best of 2009. It has all the things critics look for, cohesiveness, catchy hooks, and musical/lyrical depth, and more.
One of the great things about 'Merriweather,' is that you don't have to be a huge AC fan to appreciate it. The songs as times remind me of The Beatles when they experimented with their sound, as they found a way to blend pop with rock and not loose any real artistic integrity.
However, this is NOT for closed minded people or mainstream radio, you almost have to let yourself go and just relax. This is a record for people who enjoy this style of music, if you like experimental alternative indie rock, then you'll probably want to pick this one up.
5 out of 5 stars.
Best Songs: In The Flowers, My Girls, Bluish, Brother Sport
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Video of the Week: 2/8/09
Video of the Week: 2/8/09 - Flosstradamus ft. Caroline Polacheck - "Big Bills"
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Best Albums of 2008
Here's our list of the top ten albums from last year! Hope you enjoyed all of them as we did!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
